The LORD Has Rescued His People431Descendants of Jacob,I, the LORD, created youand formed your nation.Israel, don't be afraid.I have rescued you.I have called you by name;now you belong to me.2When you cross deep rivers,I will be with you,and you won't drown.When you walk through fire,you won't be burnedor scorched by the flames.3I am the LORD, your God,the Holy One of Israel,the God who saves you.I gave up Egypt, Ethiopia,[L]Ethiopia: See the note at 11.11.and the region of Seba[M]Seba: A region in southwest Arabia. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba probably stood for all that was known of Africa in biblical times.in exchange for you.4To me, you are very dear,and I love you.That's why I gave up nationsand people to rescue you.5Don't be afraid! I am with you.From both east and westI will bring you together.6I will say to the northand to the south,“Free my sons and daughters!Let them returnfrom distant lands.7They are my people—I created each of themto bring honor to me.”The LORD Alone Is GodThe LORD said:8Bring my people together.They have eyes and ears,but they can't see or hear.9Tell everyone of every nationto gather around.None of them can honestly say,“We told you so!”If someone heard them say this,then tell us about it now.10My people, you are my witnessesand my chosen servant.I want you to know me,to trust me, and understandthat I alone am God.I have always been God;there can be no others.11I alone am the LORD;only I can rescue you.12I promised to save you,and I kept my promise.You are my witnessesthat no other god did this.I, the LORD, have spoken.13I am God now and forever.No one can snatch you from meor stand in my way.The LORD Will Prepare the Way14I, the LORD, will rescue you!I am Israel's holy God,and this is my promise:For your sake, I will sendan army against Babylonto drag its people away,crying as they go.[N]crying as they go: Or “in their glorious ships.”15I am the LORD, your holy God,Israel's Creator and King.16I am the one who cut a paththrough the mighty ocean.17I sent an army to chase youwith chariots and horses;now they lie dead,unable to move.They are like an oil lampwith the flame snuffed out.Forget the PastThe LORD said:18Forget what happened long ago!Don't think about the past.19I am creating something new.There it is! Do you see it?I have put roads in deserts,streams[O]streams: The Standard Hebrew Text; the Dead Sea Scrolls “paths.” in thirsty lands.20Every wild animal honors me,even jackals[P]jackals: Desert animals related to wolves, but smaller. and owls.I provide water in deserts—streams in thirsty landsfor my chosen people.21I made them my own nation,so they would praise me.22I, the LORD, said to Israel:You have become weary of me,but not from worshiping me.23You have not honored meby sacrificing sheepor other animals.And I have not burdened youwith demands for sacrificesor sweet-smelling incense.24You have not broughtdelicious spices for meor given me the best partof your sacrificed animals.Instead, you burden me downwith your terrible sins.25But I wipe away your sinsbecause of who I am.And so, I will forgetthe wrongs you have done.26Meet me in court!State your case and provethat you are right.27Your earliest ancestor[Q]earliest ancestor: Jacob, also known as Israel.and all your leaders[R]leaders: Probably prophets, but perhaps also priests and kings.rebelled against me.28That's why I don't allowyour priests to serve me;I let Israel be destroyedand your people disgraced.